2020 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Price, Review, Pictures and Specs | CARHP
The engine of the 2020 BMW i8 is not as exciting as you expect from a Bimmer. It comes with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, which is not up there with the best. But this is not the total power output, the gas engine is combined with an electric motor which is powered by an 11.6 kWh battery pack. The combination of these two gives the i8 a total power output of 369-horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Even the combined power figures are not among the best in the segment, but it is not that bad either.
The powertrain is well refined and the engine comes with a two-speed auto for the electric motor and a six-speed automatic for the gas engine, and while one would think two gearboxes would not offer the best feel, it is not true at all as each gear shift is smooth and gives the car a smooth and problem-free drive. The gas engine sends power to the rear wheels, while the electric motor sends power to the front wheels which makes the car an AWD model. If you solely use the electric motor the car would take about 9 seconds to reach a speed of 60 mph, but when they are not helping the environment and are up for some serious driving the combined power will catapult the i8 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
Models
2020 BMW i8
2020 Acura NSX
2020 Lexus LC500h
2020 Polestar 1
MSRP
$147,500
$159,495
$97,460
$156,500
Engine
1.5-liter Inline-3 Turbo Gas/Electric
3.5-liter Twin-turbo V6 with 3-electric motors
3.5-liter Premium V6 with two electric motors
2.0-liter twin-turbocharged and supercharged Inline-4 with 3 electric motors
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
RWD
AWD
Transmission
9-speed automatic
9-speed automatic
10-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Power
369 hp @ 5,800 RPM
573 hp @ 6,500 RPM
354 hp @ 6,600 RPM
619 hp @ 6,200 RPM
Torque
420 lb-ft @ 3,700 RPM
476 lb-ft @ 2,000 RPM
369 lb-ft @ 4,800 RPM
738 lb-ft @ 4,200 RPM
0-60 MPH (seconds)
4.2
2.7
4.8
3.8
Quarter-Mile (seconds)
12.4
11.2
14
12.7
Top-Speed (MPH)
155
191
168
155
Polestar has the highest power and torque figures but Acura is the fastest to 60 mph and also to cover a quarter-mile, having the highest top speed of 191 mph. BMW performs better than the Lexus when it comes to 0-60 time and quarter-mile time, but has a less top speed, the clean winner then remains the more modern Acura. The Polestar follows the Acura in terms of acceleration figures.
How well does the 2020 BMW i8 handle?
The one certain expectation from a BMW hybrid over the other hybrid models would be the handling of the car. Bimmers are known for sporty handling and great performance with their models. Fortunately, they have not forgotten the BMW DNA for the i8. The handling of the i8 remains one of the key highlights that set it apart from other rivals out there. The steering feedback is so good that it inspires great confidence around the corners. You can easily carry some good speeds around the corners without much nervousness.
In the city it will not disappoint unlike other sports cars, it comes with the most comfortable ride and the small coupe design helps it to dart around town easily. Even on long road trips, the car remains comfortable and the road noise inside the cabin is also regulated quite well. The combination between sporty handling and comfortable ride is managed very well by the engineers at BMW. The suspension does a pretty good job of absorbing the bumps and makes the ride comfortable.
2020 BMW i8 PHEV Braking Performance
BMW equips the i8 with 13.4-inch ventilated discs at the front and 13-inches at the rear, along with the brakes, they also use sophisticated tech and driver aids that help to control the car under panic braking situations to keep the car stable. The feedback from the pedals just like the steering and acceleration is pretty good, and the brakes work well to bring the car to a dead stop from 60 mph in just 100 feet. Another factor for such controlled braking and less stopping distance is due to the lightweight body and aid from advanced tech.
Models
2020 BMW i8
2020 Acura NSX
2020 Lexus LC500h
2020 Polestar 1
Brake Rotors: Front (inches)
13.4
14.5
13.3
15.7
Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)
13
14.2
12.1
15.3
Curb Weight (lbs)
3,501
3,878
4,435
5,170
60-0 (feet)
100
103
112
108
While Polestar has the biggest brakes, the heavyweight of the car does not help the braking distance. The Acura NSX goes ahead of the Polestar in terms of braking distance. While BMW has the smallest brakes, the use of lightweight materials to make the body makes it the lightest car, and thus it has the least stopping distance.
